The Skinny on Kale Chips

Kale chips are everywhere lately.  In all likelihood some of you have trucked a Kale bunch home.  If you have not you should! 

Kale is the new super green.  It is full of  beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, and rich in calcium.  All the things us busy moms, and dads, need to keep us going.

Kale  contains high amounts of sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties.  That alone is a great reason to add it to your diet!

Kale is an all round great addition to your diet.  If you are trying to sneak it by a picky eater, chopped up in a salad is a great way.  I tell the family it is parsley.  Shhh... don't tell them. 

So now that you know what a BIG powerhouse this guy is in the world of veggies, let's talk Baked Kale Chips.

There are ALL sorts of things that go wrong when you start baking Kale Chips.  I will save you all the trouble!

First step is at the grocery store.  Pick the curliest Kale there is.  I bake mine curly side down as they seem to crisp up better. 

Next step is to wash and thoroughly dry the leaves.  Use a salad spinner if you have one then pat with a paper towel.  Time consuming, I know, but well worth the extra step.

Cut the Kale into chips.  I cut the tops off then the sides.  Make sure to get rid of the thick stem.  It is no good for eating.

Get a bowl to mix them in.  Pour about 2 teaspoons of olive oil in your hands and massage it in to the chips.  This is the best way to keep the chips from getting too oily resulting in a limp chimp.  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.  LIGHTLY.  Too much salt will ruin the taste.

Spread on a non-insulated parchment paper lined cookie sheet curly side down.  Preheat oven to 350' and bake the chips for 10 minutes or less.  Start checking the chips at the 8 minute mark. If they are overcooked they will disintegrate when you touch them.

These steps will result in your first successful batch of chips.  I promise!  The Kale does shrink when baked so you may need to do a few batches.  Mine are eaten as soon as they come out of the oven.  Once you master the basic baking of Kale THEN you can get fancy!  Let your imagination soar!

OFFICIAL FAMILY RATINGS

• Hubs rating:  "Meh." <<shoulder shrug>> came back for seconds
• DD 5 years old:  "Weird but good."
• DD 9years old :  "You would think they would be gross but they are not!"

Good luck with your baking!